It all started about 6 years ago, when Hurricane Ernesto was forecasted to possibly reach our area of Southwest Florida. Being that Rachel and Jon were college students at the time, and classes were cancelled, their sorority and fraternity decided a joint Hurricane Party would be the perfect way to spend the evening. Little did these two know, that this evening would change the rest of their lives.

I feel like this picture says it all about Jon and Rachel…in love, happy and more than ready to spend forever together…

Rachel and Jon, it was an honor to capture this special time in your lives. I loved watching you two interact, laugh together, and just be yourselves with one another. The connection you guys have together is undeniable and it makes me so, so excited to shoot your wedding next year!!

He is jealous for me,
Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden,
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realize just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.

(“How He Loves Us” David Crowder)

Although I’ve heard this song probably well over a 100 times, lately it’s a constant playing record in my heart and each word within it has more weight than it ever has. I’m thankful for the beautiful process of sanctification- the process of becoming like Christ as we grow in understanding of Him. Process is defined as, “a series of actions, changes, or functions bringing about a result”. I was/am so guilty in my Christian walk to want immediate gratification and well, immediate sanctification. Unfortunately, it’s the American way these days. We want something and we do whatever it takes to make sure that happens, yet often missing or making sure to skip the process, and the beauty that lies within. God wants me to know Him and have great relationship with Him. This comes with a process, just like all relationships.

When I first met my husband, I knew I would marry Him. Although I hardly knew him, I knew I wanted him to be mine. Forever. It took time to get to know him though and even still, over 10 years later, I’m learning and will always be learning more about Him. Of course, this process hasn’t always been easy and has had it’s challenges, but there’s still undeniable beauty in it. And this is just like my walk with Christ. When the Lord called me to Himself, although it was an immediate desire for Him- I didn’t know Him. Jeremiah 24:7 (Amplified) tells us “And I will give them a heart to know (recognize, understand, and be acquainted with) Me, that I am the Lord..” It’s an ongoing journey of surrendering my heart to Him, abiding in Him, and daily sanctification by His truth. His love is truly an unexplainable hurricane, and because of this I long to be His tree.

I feel like through this process, as He bends, molds, changes and grows me through better understand Him, I am so encouraged by the next verse.

We are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,
If grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking.

Because I am His, He demands all of me- not some, not when I feel like it, not when it’s easy- but ALL. Every minute, Everyday. Thankful that He redeemed me and so humbled to be sinking in His undeserving grace…today and always.

We’re on the hunt for a few fun, outgoing and stylish 2013 MGP Senior Reps!!

Reps will receive a {FREE} Senior session, and are able to participate in our fun referral program – where you earn product and gift cards based on the number of referrals you send our way. For an application and to find out more, email maria@mariaglassford.com. Space is limited and senior rep sessions are starting soon, so contact us today!

Check out our Senior Portrait gallery from some of our 2012 Seniors {HERE}.

- Canon Professional Services. They fixed my sadly broken 5d, Mark ii in just a matter of days. I had mentally prepared myself that I was likely going to be purchasing a new one. Needless to say, when they sent me an email letting me know it was a $158 repair, I was thrilled.

- Miniature Golf! We took our younger three out to the course this past weekend and had the best time. Our little boys had never been mini golfing and I think they’re professional golfer of a grandpa would have been impressed with their skills. Considering I beat my hubby at the game, I think golf must just be in the Meyer blood. Actually, I know it is…

{iphone photo}

- Being a WAHM (Work At Home Mom). I will NEVER take this huge blessing for granted. I’m so, so thankful for my job and that I can create my own schedule (even if that means working at 1AM) and hang out with my kids while they fly through these most precious years!

- Soccer. Soccer. Soccer. We had a blast at last weekend soccer tournament and this Saturday we have another one to look forward to. Praying the rain hold’s off since we’re scheduled for 5 games tomorrow!!

- I’ve been convicted, challenged and encouraged by the Lord lately. I fall more in love with Him daily and am grateful He meets me right where I am- knowing exactly what I need during my time with Him. Lately, He’s really challenged me to be a daily cross-bearing Christian, and reflecting the attributes that come with- denying myself, loving others, doing all things without complaining, and having full trust and hope in Him. I know none of these are possible without divine strength from Him and how thankful I am for my Savior who lived a perfect, sinless life before paying the ultimate price.

-Instagram. I may be slightly obsessed. It’s like Facebook through photos. I’m pretty sure the picture below tells a better story and any of my status’ ever would. LOVE IT.

Happy Friday!!

PS. This last photo is for my sweet friend, Dina, who texted me yesterday wanting to know if I was withholding her photos for my Friday Favorites….here ya go!!

I have no idea how it’s already Friday again, but somehow, minute by minute, we’ve managed to get here with what seems like a blink of an eye. The past week has been pretty trying around here with sick kids, but I’m hoping we’re now on the mend. I guess I should just be grateful that a week full of sickness flew by incredibly fast!!!

- Soccer tournament!! This weekend my little girl has her first 3v3 tournament and I couldn’t be more excited! Since this was her mama’s sport, I’m pretty proud to see my baby girl have the love and passion for the game. At the age of 8, she’s the proud owner of 2 legit jerseys sporting her last name.

(iphone photo)

- American Idol. I can’t get over this year’s crazy talent on the show. I love all of them and can’t pick a sole favorite. However, I always am huge fans of Colton, Jessica, Skylar, and Joshua.

- My friends. I am so thankful for each and every one of them.

- Greeting cards. What in the world. Am I the ONLY person that takes {on minimum} 30 minutes to pick out a card for someone? It has to be *perfect*; every line has to be true and pretty much seem as if I wrote the card specifically for the receiver. My hubby asked me to run into CVS to grab milk the other night, and 2 cards and a gallon later….I had lost an hour of my life reading practically every card in the store. There’s a possibility I have a love/hate relationship.

- A much needed haircut. With some bangs. Finally.

(iphone photo)

- Loving Redken’s Powder Refresh. It’s a second day dry shampoo and I can’t even begin to tell you how awesome it is.

Happy Friday!

I can’t think of a better way to start off the week than a blog post…and 2 cups of coffee and all of my kids home from school. Last week, I had the honor of meeting and working with Jyl and Mike, who were on vacation from Michigan for Spring Break. Since they were staying on Fort Myers Beach, we traveled around the sandy streets and then moved onto the Bowditch Beach for sunset. Between this {adorable} newly engaged couple and the most perfect weather, we were basically set for a perfect shoot!

Jyl and Mike, it was so, so great to meet and work with the two of you! You guys were a blast to capture and I hope you love your photos so far. Enjoy the rest of your engagement and happy wedding planning!

Ya’ll are STUNNING. Ahhh, I can hardly handle how perfect you two were in front of the camera!

One of my faves. I’m pretty sure this is what love looks like.

I’ve been missing the blogging world lately and as days seem to be passing before my eyes, it makes me realize how much I *want* to be recording life. I don’t want to forget these fleeting and precious moments, but alas the days tend to blur together and I know if I don’t use the wonderful world wide web, I’ll forget about moments I so treasured. With that said, Im hoping, really, really hoping I get on here on a more consistent basis!

I can’t think of a better way to start than a new edition of Friday Favorites….

- Easter Sunday. I love Easter. The hope, the freedom, the gift, and the celebration of our wonderful and glorious Savior. I can’t help but reflect on what Jesus did for us and the gift of salvation He has given to us through his death, burial and resurrection. To think His final days in flesh were spent in prayer, showing love and kindness, washing his disciples feet, serving others; and although He was perfect, He faced the death of a criminal and was still obedient through the last second as he died on the cross. Gosh, it makes me realize how far I am from looking like Jesus in my daily walk, yet my heart is full with joy knowing I have a God that loves me despite myself!

{“Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” John 18:11. I am undeserving of everything and anything and am so thankful for the promise of eternity and the truth we have been gifted through Jesus!!}

- The pool, the beach…the Florida sun. We’ve been soaking it all up and enjoying our beautiful weather by spending many hours by the water. It’s been heavenly.

- Oh you thought I could possibly do a FF and not mention some sort of food? Breyers Cookies and Cream (with the blast of Oreos) has been a recent fave in our freezer.

- Amazing Clients. Thanks Janell for the Wedding Wire review. It means more than words and I am so, so appreciative you took the time to write this sweet review.

- My kids. I fall more in love with them with each passing day….

Happy Friday and Happy Easter!

- Selah Sky. Lauren, one of my sweet second shooters, had her precious daughter on Monday and she is quite the beauty! My heart is filled with joy with new babies in general, but there is something unexplainable when seeing a husband and wife welcome their first baby…

- Thin Mints. I don’t really thinks this needs much of an explanation. Every February though, it’s like seeing my long lost best friend.

Guilty Confession: I used to order boxes of Thin Mints off of Ebay when I was pregnant.  For real. You can’t mess with a pregnant girls’ cravings.

- My Grace Story. It was my week to share my grace story at our small group this week. I actually loved tracking my story from birth until now and it was incredible to see just how faithful the Lord was, even when I didn’t recognize Him and His power in my life. I’m thankful for the undeserving FINISHED work he’s done on the Cross and the fact that I have a God that loves me despite myself.

- Our 2012 weddings. I’m really pumped over the awesome weddings and of course, the wonderful couples I get to work with.

- This past week my kids had a 4 day weekend from school and we had a BLAST!! It was so nice to be free of our crazy schedule and have a mini vacay in Orlando. On top of a great gymnastics meet up there, we paid Shamu a little visit at Sea World.

(iphone photo)

- American Idol and The Voice. The reality TV lover in me is pretty giddy almost every night during this time of year…

Cheers to Friday!

- My two littlest men (4 & 5) learned to ride their bikes in the last week. We’ve spent many afternoons outside watching them relish in their newfound freedom of life without training wheels. Between the tricks they’re now attempting and the almost mailbox collisions that seem to be daily, I’m hoping this initial bike riding stress lessens a little with each day.

- American Idol. I’m a sucker for all things reality.

- Our life group. Our group started meeting 5 months ago and I feel so blessed to be able to do life, learn and experience wonderful biblical community through this handful of people, who I am grateful to now call friends. God has been so gracious and loving to place my husband and I in a group we had been praying for. I’m excited to see what the Lord has in store for us as individuals, and also as a group, in the months to come.

- One of my BFF’s Natalie has been in town for a month an a half, while her husband was away at Air Force officer training. We’ve enjoyed days shopping, doughnuts at Bennetts, bible study, logging miles, eating, and just hanging out like old times. On top of that, she has the happiest little 7 month old, who I’ve got to spend time loving and playing with. Her stay has been nothing short of wonderful and I am going to miss her dearly when she leaves next week to go back to DC. Here’s proof of our Bennetts trip (aka- the best doughnut place in town)…

(iphone photo)

- My hubby. It’s pretty simple, but he loves our family, makes me laugh, loves Jesus and is quite the kid at heart. We’re opposite in so many ways but somehow it’s creates this perfect balance for us and our family. I love him.

- Flowers. Before becoming a wedding photographer, I never had an interest in flowers. At all. Already picked or still planted, once they’re in my hands they seem to brown and wither away before my eyes. If you were to look by my front door today, I truthfully have 3 dead potted flower pants without any hint of green popping out of the soil. It’s that bad. However, I have a new found love for all things flowers. I can’t wait to replant and recolor our front yard within the next few weeks.

(These were Alicia’s beautiful flowers from her wedding last October at The Ritz Carlton in Naples, Florida)

Happy Friday!

After meeting with Kyndra for the first time and hearing all about her vision for her wedding, I longed to be the photographer she chose to capture her day. Their November, nautical themed wedding, was right up my alley and I knew the detail in her day would have my heart racing with excitement with pretty much every turn. Besides photojournalism and capturing the candid moments of wedding days, strategically placed detail just wraps up the day and turns the perfect love story into a fairytale of a day. Needless to say, once Kyndra emailed me and told me that they had chosen me, I was completely ecstatic.

Kyle and Kyndra wanted to create their engagement photos as a little sneak peak of what’s to come for their big day, so we decided to head out to the beautiful island of Boca Grande to set the scene. I truly don’t think they could have chosen a better location for their vision- the place was just spectacular and had so much to offer with a great mixture of beach and buildings. Add to that a little burlap, fishing nets, some flowers and a beautiful couple, and I was a photographer in heaven.

There’s no way I could post this without saying THANK YOU to Stephanie of Along Came Stephanie, for coming to help style this engagement session! You’re fabulous and were a huge asset in detailing this shoot ever so perfectly!

Ahh, I’m always a sucker for a high school sweetheart love story.

You’re gorgeous, Kyndra!!

Kyle, you did GOOD and Kyndra, you’re one lucky lady to get to wear this bling the rest of your life!

The Boca Grande Lighthouse- definitely worth the drive to visit!

They say engagement photos are practice for your wedding day. I’m pretty sure you guys are ready.

Meet sweet, little Daisy the dog!

Kyndra and Kyle, November 12th can’t come soon enough.  You have no idea how excited I am to be chosen to tell your amazing love story through photographs. The countdown is on…276 days!